Two-day Grace Period on Regulatory Compliance for Small Businesses

On March 24, Governor Gregoire signed House Bill 2603 into law. The bi-partisan bill, which passed the legislature unanimously, gives small businesses a grace period of two business days to comply when found in violation of a state regulation.

The bill's prime sponsor, Rep. Norma Smith (R-Clinton), derived the concept from a recommendation at Washington Policy Center's (WPC) 2009 Statewide Small Business Conference, where more than 300 small business owners and policymakers gathered to discuss the biggest challenges in Washington’s business climate. Participants offered and voted on specific policy recommendations, including the two-day grace period for regulatory compliance.

“Small business owners in Washington face a growing mountain of regulations on how they can operate their businesses, and it is increasingly difficult for them to keep up and comply with those regulations,” said Carl Gipson, director of WPC’s Center for Small Business, who attended the signing ceremony in the Governor’s office yesterday. “This two-day grace period is a small step in the right direction, and it certainly is welcome relief to the folks who are the backbone of our state’s economy.”

The two-day grace period law takes effect in July.

For more information on specific policy reform ideas recommended by small-business owners, read the WPC report “Small Business and the Road to Recovery.”

Washington Policy Center press release

State Revenue (and Economy) Forecast Improves

Just released is the update for the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast:

The national and Washington economic recovery is progressing largely as we expected in November. As a result, our revision to the forecast for the current biennium is a relatively minor $31.5 million increase in the revenue forecast (excluding noneconomic changes). Output has now grown for two consecutive quarters including a 5.7% surge in the fourth quarter of 2009. As in November, we expect positive job growth for both the U.S. and Washington beginning in the current quarter. Though our baseline forecast expects the recovery to continue, significant risks remain. Consumer confidence remains low, credit remains tight, and the housing recovery may falter after the home buyers credit expires. We believe the Washington will outperform the U.S. economy in the recovery thanks to our export orientation and the relative stability of our key basic industries, aerospace and software. . .the forecast is up by $31.5 million. This is the first forecast to extend through the 2011-13 biennium. The General Fund-State forecast for the 2011-13 biennium is $32.2 billion.

Keep Tabs On Olympia

The Association of Washington Business (AWB) serves as the state’s chamber of commerce and prides itself on building a solid record of success in the legislative and regulatory arenas. The AWB membership (including the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber), are a sought-after source with the Governor, Legislature and state agencies for business input on policy matters.

AWB provides several quick and easy ways to keep pace with the Legislature this session:

• Find your legislator and contact them with one click on AWB’s new site, Washington Business Votes.
• You can also keep tabs on all of the bills affecting business in our state through AWB’s Jobmakers site. This Web page tracks the progress of business-related legislation and the lawmakers who support or oppose the bills.

Businesses can also follow AWB on Twitter (@awbolympia) or read their blog, Olympia Business Watch and stay current on the latest news and information coming out of Olympia this session.

The Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy (WashACE) a coalition of Washington business associations and chambers (including Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber), also provides regular analysis, action alerts and information about business-related bills and policy decisions during session.

Legislative Job Unfinished

The Regular Session of the Washington Legislature adjourned April 26.

Gov. Gregoire WILL NOT at this juncture call lawmakers into a Special Session although there has been some hint of an October special session when the Legislature is already in Olympia for Committee days.

What this means today is the 2009-2011 Biennial budget is still slightly out of balance because several cost saving bills (largely correction system related) were not adopted by the Legislature prior to the end of the Regular Session on April 26.

The bottom line…

• no new major tax increases on business


• large cuts in K-12 and Higher Education


• and cuts in most State programs which go into effect soon (as estimated 7,000 to 8,000 jobs total)…reducing the number of folks on the Basic Health Plan, etc…

but we most definitely will have budget issues to contend with in the future.

For a full recap of the legislative report, including the status of the Chamber’s T.E.A.C.H. agenda, go here.

Guest blogger: Michael Transue, Contract State Lobbyist for the Chamber

Chamber Takes It to Olympia

A delegation of Chamber leaders held a conference luncheon with many of the Washington State Senators and Legislators from Pierce County last week in Olympia.

Rep. Larry Seaquist addresses the Chamber delegation.

Handling the leadership duties was Hans Hechtman, Comcast’s Government Affairs Manager and the Chamber’s Vice-Chair for Government Relations. He, along with the Chamber’s Contract Lobbyist, Michael Transue, lead a discussion on the Chamber’s TEACH legislative agenda. Several legislators shared their insights on critical budget issues and likely results on key business legislation in both houses during the session.

The delegation was treated to an exchange of philosophies between Sen. Mike Carrell and Rep. Jeannie Darnielle. Sen. Carrell’s observation that the legislature’s management of the forecast budget deficit, reduced by the federal stimulus infusion, was achievable by financial stewardship and frugal expenditures on raises and similar cost increases. Rep. Darnielle said that there are real consequences to individuals because of budget cuts, including the potential loss of 5,000 teachers within the state.

Business and community representatives also highlighted their interests and needs with the delegation. Among them, Dr. Patricia Spakes, Chancellor, University of Washington Tacoma, spoke of the capital needs for the campus, including the Joy Building and the minimum financial support to keep the momentum alive.

Business representatives addressed the need to protect our competitive environment and to recognize the tough choices businesses are making.

Our special thanks to event sponsors Boeing, Comcast, KeyBank, and Puget Sound Energy for hosting this event for everyone.

The Chamber has a strong program of advocacy for business issues. The Public Affairs Council is open to any interested members and meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday at 8 am in the Chamber’s office.

“Bills of Interest” — Next Week in Olympia

The Association of Washington Business’s weekly summary of the status of bills that impact businesses covers a wide-range of topics and numerous varieties of industries that make up our state economy.

Review the report for the items that specifically apply to you and your business.
After clicking here, scroll down the webpage and click the yellow highlighted "Bills of Interest" to view the report. Be sure to mark this site as a "favorite," so you can continually check on the upcoming bills and the legislative process.